Is Sign of the Times a good place to start with Cosmic Gate?

Yes, Sign of the Times is recommended as a starting point for new Cosmic Gate listeners. Euphoric melodies entwine with pulsating beats, crafting a transcendent journey through the realms of modern trance. By 2009, Cosmic Gate had established themselves as key figures in the trance scene following their 2006 album 'Earth Mover'. 'Sign of the Times' marked their return after a three-year hiatus, showcasing their evolution in sound while solidifying their status in the electronic music landscape.

Who is Sign of the Times for?

Sign of the Times works well if you're into steady pacing for focused listening, expansive soundscapes for reflection and euphoric melodies for uplifting moods.

How many songs are on Sign of the Times?

Sign of the Times has 13 tracks, running approximately 77 minutes.

Sign of the Times

Cosmic Gate · 2009

77 min · 13 tracks · trance

Euphoric melodies entwine with pulsating beats, crafting a transcendent journey through the realms of modern trance.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Open Your Heart Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its lush synths and emotive vocals, encapsulating the euphoric essence of trance.
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Sign of the Times — The titular track combines driving basslines with ethereal soundscapes, representing a pivotal moment where Cosmic Gate’s signature style shines through.
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London Rain — With its atmospheric build-up and haunting vocal samples, this track effectively captures a sense of nostalgia interwoven with vibrant energy.
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Under Your Spell — This track balances melodic richness with danceable beats, showcasing Cosmic Gate's ability to create an immersive listening experience.
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Arctic Sunset — A standout closer that combines emotional depth with expansive sound textures, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of introspection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends uplifting melodies with deep rhythms, creating a cohesive trance experience.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually, layering synths and beats to create a euphoric atmosphere.
Several tracks incorporate vocal elements that intertwine with the instrumental sections, enhancing the emotional impact.
The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, providing a reflective conclusion to the album's journey.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for focused listening
expansive soundscapes for reflection
euphoric melodies for uplifting moods
journey-like experience with peaks
for late-night drives

Maybe skip if you

dislike long, cohesive albums
prefer immediate gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked their return after a hiatus, achieving number one on the German Dance Charts.
Career context: By 2009, Cosmic Gate had established themselves as key figures in the trance scene following their 2006 album 'Earth Mover'. 'Sign of the Times' marked their return after a three-year hiatus, showcasing their evolution in sound while solidifying their status in the electronic music landscape.
Stylistic neighbors: Above & Beyond· Armin van Buuren· Paul van Dyk